See below the letter I plan on sending to the council as part of my formal representation…now that assuming you guys think I have a chance or not…all below created with the help of ChatGPT in the space of 15 seconds…remarkable stuff…anyway appreciate your thoughts on this:
To:
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Parking Services
Re: Formal Representation
Penalty Charge Notice (PCN): XXXX
Vehicle Registration: XXXX
Date of PCN: XXXX
Location: XXXX
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to submit a formal representation against the above PCN on the grounds that the contravention did not occur. The Civil Enforcement Officer’s photographs do not reflect the circumstances that existed at the time I parked, and I have attached contemporaneous photographic evidence which clearly demonstrates this.
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1. An obstructing vehicle made it impossible to park within the bay markings
When I arrived and parked my vehicle, the bay directly in front of me was occupied by a large minivan. This vehicle’s rear overhang projected substantially beyond the front of its own bay, encroaching deeply into my bay.
This overhang can be clearly seen in the photographs I took at the moment I parked, attached as:
• Photo 1 – Minivan rear extending into my bay
• Photo 2 – My vehicle positioned as far forward as safely possible
• Photo 3 – Bay markings showing the obstruction
The minivan’s protrusion left me no physical possibility of parking wholly within my bay markings without making contact with the vehicle in front. I therefore positioned my car as correctly as was reasonably possible under the circumstances.
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2. The CEO did not see the obstructing vehicle (it departed before their arrival)
By the time the Civil Enforcement Officer attended, the minivan had left the scene, and a smaller vehicle had subsequently parked in its place. This gives the misleading impression in the Council’s photographs that ample space was available in front of my vehicle at all times.
However, as my photographs show, this was not the case at the time I parked. The CEO’s images therefore do not reflect the true circumstances leading to my position.
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3. I took photographs precisely because I recognised the unusual situation
I was fully aware that I could not park entirely within the markings due to the obstruction, so I took photographs immediately to document the cause. This demonstrates that I acted:
• responsibly
• in good faith, and
• with full intention to comply with the parking regulations
The minor misalignment arose solely due to a situation entirely outside my control.
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4. I had paid for parking and intended to comply with all requirements
I had already paid for parking that day and had no intention of parking improperly. I expected to realign my vehicle once the obstructing minivan moved, but unfortunately it departed before I could return. The PCN was therefore issued based on a situation that did not reflect the circumstances at the time I parked.
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5. Grounds for cancellation
I respectfully submit that the PCN should be cancelled because:
• The contravention did not occur, as I was prevented from parking within the bay by another vehicle’s unlawful encroachment.
• I have provided clear, contemporaneous photographic evidence showing the obstruction.
• The CEO’s photographs do not capture the situation as it existed when I parked.
• I made every reasonable effort to comply and acted entirely in good faith.
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Conclusion
I therefore ask the Council to review my evidence carefully and to cancel this PCN in light of the full and accurate circumstances.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your confirmation that the notice has been cancelled.
Yours faithfully,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Contact Details]
